Pope Francis is asking youth to prepare for 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland by reflecting on the Beatitudes.
As Catholic dioceses around the world prepare for the international World Youth Day, the Holy Father is asking the dioceses in 2014, to reflect on Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, and in 2015, on Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” (Matt 5:7), is the theme for the 2016 international celebration.
Announcing the themes, the Vatican noted that during World Youth Day in Rio, Pope Francis asked young people to read the beatitudes and make them a blueprint for their lives.
Krakow is the former archdiocesan See of Blessed John Paul II.
It is also home to the Shrine of Divine Mercy, encouraging the devotion promoted by St Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who said she had a vision of Jesus, who said he would show mercy to those who pray for it and who share that mercy with others.
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